Tyson Drops Jersey Bid, Tries Nevada

August 14, 1998|By Michael Hirsley, Tribune Staff Writer.

Mike Tyson, who has been bobbing and weaving in his moves to be reinstated into boxing, now wants a hearing in Nevada to have his yearlong license revocation there lifted. He has dropped his request for a New Jersey license.

The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board announced that Tyson withdrew his boxing-license application Thursday, less than 24 hours before the board was scheduled to rule on it.

Also on Thursday afternoon, the Nevada State Athletic Commission office confirmed it received a letter from Tyson adviser Shelly Finkel requesting a hearing to reinstate Tyson's boxing license.

Finkel sought a hearing "as soon as possible," said a staffer in the commission office, adding that it would take two to three weeks to secure a sizable hearing room and convene the five commissioners, some of whom are out of town.

Neither Tyson nor his lawyer, Anthony Fusco Jr., gave a reason for withdrawing the license request in New Jersey. But two aspects of his decision to go there last month were harshly questioned.

Critics said he should have gone back before the Nevada commissioners who revoked his license after he was disqualified in a title fight June 28, 1997, for biting Evander Holyfield's ears.

Second, he may have hurt his chances of getting the New Jersey licence by his actions at the state board's hearing July 29. After testimony in his behalf from character witnesses, Tyson became angered by repeated questions about why he bit Holyfield. He then cursed and refused to read his closing statement.

To get his license restored in Nevada, Tyson also would have to appear in person for questioning by the five commissioners.

If three vote to reinstate his license, Tyson would be permitted to take the tests, including a physical and HIV clearance, for his license, said Marc Ratner, the commission's chief executive.